Post by @Mrfunkedude@beige.party

Stop thinking that the Fediverse needs to compete with corporate owned social media.

It doesn't.

Mastodon isn't in competition with X or Threads. PeerTube isn't in competition with YouTube. PixelFed is not in competition with Instagram. Friendica is not in competition with Facebook.

The Fediverse serves a different function then all of the billionaire funded social medias. The Fedi isn't meant to create a revenue flow for investors. It isn't meant to turn you into a product where your privacy is stripped from you.

The Fediverse is meant to give the USER control. It's meant to protect the disenfranchised. Give power to the people. Be safe from profit exploitation.

The Fediverse and corporate social media couldn't be more different. Trying to put them in competition is like trying to compare a toilet to a flower. Sure you can shit and piss on a flower, but the toilet will always stink and the flower will continue to grow.

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TheOcarinaOfPrime

@TheLegendOfThrill@mastodon.online 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude the fediverse fills a similar niche in people's lives as X or Reddit. If we want it go grow into a place where the average person has a conversation without corporations algorithmically moderating them, then it has to at least make that case effectively to more people. It isn't in competition with corporate social media, but it isn't NOT in competition with them either.

Mr Funk E Dude 🖖

@Mrfunkedude@beige.party 2 months ago

@TheLegendOfThrill Why cant we have growth without competition?

I do what I can to help the Fedi grow. I tell others about it. I support it financially. I have my own PeerTube instance. None of that involves me trying to compete with Big Social.

It's a slow growth here and I'm fine with that. To me, it's a feature. We don't need a few million people coming in here all at once trying to change the culture. Let them trickle in and see how great it is first. Let them get used to not being bombarded with spam or click bait. Let them get used to having control over their space. Let them get used to pleasant conversations and not feeling like you're going to be attacked left and right?

Slow growth can be a great thing. Especially when you're not trying to meet investor quotas.

TheOcarinaOfPrime

@TheLegendOfThrill@mastodon.online 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude I guess it just depends on how you view concept of competition and what niche you think the fediverse fills. Mastodon has a similar experience to X. And I personally am trying to use it in a way that replaces traditional social media, so for my purposes they are in competition. But I see what you're saying about letting the userbase slowly trickle in. It'll probably lead to a more consistent experience.

Clean Duck of the Iron Realm

@cleanduck@mastodon.social 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude @TheLegendOfThrill any tips on getting involved? I’m new to this, but the idea appeals to me. I’m willing to volunteer developer time, but in my mind p2p has always been riddled with problems. I want to get stuck in using this app more and understanding the potential, and you seem like that one guy I should listen to 😅

TheOcarinaOfPrime

@TheLegendOfThrill@mastodon.online 2 months ago

@cleanduck @Mrfunkedude yeah I'm not a developer myself, so I don't know how to get involved. The only thing I really do is try to tell my friends about it.

Mr Funk E Dude 🖖

@Mrfunkedude@beige.party 2 months ago

@cleanduck @TheLegendOfThrill I'm not sure how to help as a developer. Maybe someone else with that experience or know how can answer that question for you?

@FediThing @ozoned do you two know?

Clean Duck of the Iron Realm

@cleanduck@mastodon.social 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude @TheLegendOfThrill @FediThing @ozoned I think there’s some folks I can reach out to. I meant more tips about how to use the platform best, and help grow the initiative 🙂

Mr Funk E Dude 🖖

@Mrfunkedude@beige.party 2 months ago

@cleanduck
The best use of the platform depends on what you want to use it for.

I use Mastodon as a way of socialization since I don't get out much thanks to arthritis and other reasons. I use it to encourage people to believe in themselves, to find wisdom in their resolute hearts, and to remind them that butts will indeed save us all.

Any "success" (if you want to call it that) with my high engagement and follower count is due to me, just being me. Other than that I plug my PeerTube and blog whenever I make something new.

I think of the Fedi as a neighborhood. Some neighbors run businesses out of their homes. Some are just watering their gardens.

Big Social is like downtown Big City with all of its corporations and tall buildings that block out the sun.

So I encourage people to look at the beauty of the sky.

@TheLegendOfThrill @FediThing @ozoned

Clean Duck of the Iron Realm

@cleanduck@mastodon.social 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude @TheLegendOfThrill @FediThing @ozoned fair enough. I don’t know many people in my area, far fewer that share my interests. Pretty aligned with many of the things you said too, sorry bout the arthritis btw!

Clean Duck of the Iron Realm

@cleanduck@mastodon.social 2 months ago

@Mrfunkedude @TheLegendOfThrill @FediThing @ozoned I think there’s some folks I can reach out to. I meant more tips about how to use the platform best, and help grow the initiative 🙂